Tampa, FL Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Tampa Code § 14-153
- Evening/night limit
- 85 dBA / 87 dBC, 6 p.m.-3 a.m.
- Daytime limit
- 65 dBA / 75 dBC, 3 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Coverage area
- Ybor City Historic District, Arena District
- Measurement method
- 30-second Leq at property line
- Fine schedule
- $150 to $450 (Class II)
Summary
Inside Ybor City and the Arena District, Tampa Code § 14-153 caps property noise at 85 dBA/87 dBC from 6 p.m.-3 a.m. and 65 dBA/75 dBC from 3 a.m.-6 p.m., measured at the property line. Elsewhere the city uses a qualitative 'loud and raucous' test instead of a fixed decibel number.
(a)Prohibition of unreasonably excessive noise from a property—Ybor City Historic District, and the Arena District. It shall be unlawful for any person(s), to permit, cause, allow, create, emit, or sustain unreasonably excessive noise from a property, including air space thereof, located in the City of Tampa within the Ybor City Historic District, and the Arena District. Unreasonably excessive noise from a property means sound from any property within the Ybor City Historic District, or the Arena District which meets or exceeds the maximum sound levels set as follows:(1)Eighty-five (85) dBA or eighty-seven (87) dBC between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.(2)Sixty-five (65) dBA or seventy-five (75) dBC between the hours of 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. ... (c)In determining the dBA or dBC sound level under this section, a measurement within this area shall be taken from the property line of the property generating the sound, or from the individual lease boundary generating the sound in the case of property which has been subdivided by the execution of individual leases. The equivalent (Leq) decibel measurement taken at thirty (30) seconds shall not exceed the maximum levels set above.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 148).
Full Breakdown
Tampa has hard numeric decibel caps in only two districts rather than a subjective 'unreasonably loud and raucous' standard citywide: § 14-153 applies specifically inside the Ybor City Historic District and the Arena District (the area around Amalie Arena, defined by a formal metes-and-bounds legal description in the ordinance). , using a 30-second equivalent (Leq) sound-level measurement. serving as prima facie evidence of a violation rather than a specific decibel figure. Before citing either section, § 14-159(a)(1) requires an officer to first give notice and a five-minute warning to bring the sound into compliance, with a citation issued only if the violator fails to comply within five minutes or falls out of compliance again within 48 hours.
5-5, fined at $150 for a first offense, $300 for a second, and $450 for a third or subsequent offense. The decibel standard was added by Ordinance No. 2016-125, § 5 on August 25, 2016, and has been amended four times since, most recently by Ordinance No. 2022-71 on May 5, 2022.
Violations & Fines
Officers must give a verbal or written five-minute warning before citing under § 14-159(a)(1); a citation follows only if the sound doesn't come into compliance within five minutes or falls out of compliance again within 48 hours. Violations of § 14-153 are Class II civil offenses: $150 first offense, $300 second, $450 third or subsequent, under the § 23.5-5 fine schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Tampa's actual decibel noise limits?
Does the rest of Tampa have a decibel limit?
Do Tampa police issue an immediate noise ticket or a warning first?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tampa
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Tampa to another location·View the Florida noise ordinances overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.